Sports briefs

Down 3-1 after two innings, Newton scored three runs in the bottom of the third. McPherson tied the game in the top of the fourth, but Newton replied with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Each team scored a run in the sixth inning. A Knight run in the bottom of the eighth gave the Knights a two-run cushion.

Gunar Drinnen went three for four hitting for Newton with a sacrifice fly.

Drinnen started the game, giving way to Peyton Dahl in the fifth inning. Dahl was credited with the win. Keil Stauffer struck out four batters in the final two innings for the save,

Steve Gonzalez started for McPherson. Aaron Marshall took the loss.

Marshall and Alex Ruxlow each went three for four hitting for McPherson. Ethan Nadew went two for five.

Results of Tuesday's game at McPherson were not received at deadline.

Newton plays Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Garden City Invitational. Newton plays at 5:30 p.m. Friday and two games on Saturday. Medal games are Sunday.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — The Wichita Wingnuts opened a road series at Grand Prairie with a 2-1 loss Tuesday.

Josh Strawn went seven innings for the AirHogs, allowing a run on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts. Justin Dowdy and Patrick Mincey each pitched an inning, striking out two. Mincey was credited with the save.

For Wichita, Justin Klipp went seven innings in the loss, allowing two runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Andrew Aizensadt finished the game.

Jared McDonald went two for three hitting for Wichita, scoring the sole run on a solo home run. Jake Kahaulelio went two for four hitting.

PARK CITY — Wichita Wild indoor football team general manager John Blazek has announced his retirement.

Blazek, the Champions Professional Indoor Football League executive of the year, guided the team to its first ever league playoff title and a three-way tie for the regular-season title.

“(Wild owner Wink) Hartman hired me three years ago to bring a championship to the Wild organization and to Wichita; that goal has been accomplished,” Blazek said. “It’s time for me to step down and let someone else take the reins. I am excited for my next chapter in life, and that is to spend more time with my grandchildren. I have spent 35 years with other kids and families and it’s time to focus on my family now. The past three years working for Mr. Hartman have been some of the best years in my life. I have worked with some great people in my career and Wink Hartman, Morris Lolar, and Lebaron Hollimon are among those people.”

Blazek's retirement comes after his wife retired from the Maize school district at the end of the school year.

Wingnut players

take honors

WICHITA — Wichita Wingnuts pitcher Ryan Hinson was named the American Association pitcher of the month for June.

Hinson was 5-1 with a 1.41 earned-run-average in six starts last month. He went seven or more innings in five of those outings. He also became the team's career record holder for strikeouts in that span.

For the season, Hinson is 6-2 with a 1.75 ERA.

C.J. Ziegler was named the AA batter of the week for the week ending Sunday. Ziegler had at least one hit in each of the Wingnuts' six games. Wichita finished the week 5-1.

Ziegler was 10 for 22 hitting with 10 runs scored, three home runs and 14 RBIs. He tied the team record for RBIs in a game, driving in seven runs in a 20-6 win over the Laredo Lemurs. Ziegler is the third Wichita player to take weekly AA honors this season.

Thunder to

host contest

WICHITA — The Wichita Thunder is hosting a slogan contest for the 2013-14 season.

The contest will run from today through July 17. The winning selection will be used with the Thunders' advertising campaign for the season. The winner will receive a season ticket in the blue, yellow or green section.

Submissions should be sent to info@wichitathunder.com. They are due by 5 p.m. July 17.